The Humboldt River in normal years has some flooding from the spring melt. Most years it spreads along the river bank pastures for a few weeks then recedes. In 1910 the snow pack all along the river was higher than normal. The spring thaw brought all that water rushing downstream in a few days. Much more powerful than normal, it washed the center of the Frenchman's bridge away. The people of Winnemucca came to watch and to worry. It was more than an inconvenience! This was one of a very few bridges across the river. Without it the town was divided and a good bit of normal commerce halted.
This is an amazing scene when compared to 2014 and its continuing drought. Dune buggies and ATVs can run up and down the same river bed. The severe lack of water creates a playground for a few, but real hardship for many more. Too little water in 2014 is doing as much harm as the flood in 1910![[In-content Ad]]
